A neural basis of unpleasant emotional processing in modified guided imagery and music: An fMRI study

Abstract

Introduction: Music and imagery are often used as stimuli in emotionally focused therapy to induce personal emotions, especially unpleasant emotions, which are related to personal episodic memories. In this study, we designed an fMRI study to demonstrate the enhancement effect of unpleasant emotions by modified guided imagery and music (GIM), which is a music psychotherapy approach utilizing music and imagery. Methods: Music excerpts and verbal instructions (VI) were presented to 23 right-handed healthy participants, and regions of interest (ROI) analysis for the difference between GIM as a combined stimulus (GIM-CS) and music as a single stimulus (M-SS) was conducted. Additionally, subjective responses about the experience of GIM-CS, M-SS, and VI were obtained and compared with the results of the ROI analysis. Results: The ROI analysis revealed statistically significant differences between GIM-CS and M-SS in the amygdala, insular, parahippocampal gyrus, and putamen. More specifically, GIM-CS increased the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activity in these regions. Subjective responses clearly indicated that unpleasant emotions were remarkably increased by GIM-CS than by M-SS and that VI assisted the participants to focus on personal emotions. Discussion: This study showed the neural networks of unpleasant emotional processing, which is initiated by modified GIM. Even though the fMRI experiments were conducted with a modified form of GIM, the study results can be potentially used to provide the neuroscientific rationale for effective use of GIM in clinical practice.